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Arizona Republic Fact Check

The issue: Success of Rep. Paul Gosar’s first term

By Jose Zavala – June 19, 2012, 4:28 pm

What we’re looking at
Rep. Paul Gosar, who was elected to Congress in 2010, said he is among the most successful of the freshman class of lawmakers. Gosar, who represents the 1st Congressional District, is running for re-election in the newly drawn 4th Congressional District.

The comment
“As one of the most successful freshman legislators, I have established a record for delivering on my promise of results for those who sent me.”

Bottom line: When it comes to sponsored bills and amendments passed by the House of Representatives, Gosar has been among the most successful new members not only in Arizona’s delegation but also in the entire freshman class.

GOP leadership rankled by resolution calling for attorney general’s head

By Jordy Yager – 03/22/12 05:00 AM ET

More than 100 Republicans in the House are clamoring for Eric Holder’s head, but GOP leaders are reluctant to vote on a measure suggesting the ouster of the U.S. attorney general.

Freshman Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) is leading the charge. He said he won’t let up until he gets a vote on his resolution……

Gosar’s office said he “has not had any assurances from leadership” that the measure will receive a vote, but he will continue pressing for one.

“The congressman has been focused on building congressional support through co-sponsors and grassroots support … and will be aggressively pressing leadership to bring it to the floor in a timely manner,” Gosar spokeswoman Apryl Marie Fogel said in a statement.

Gosar has racked up 107 co-sponsors for the measure and spoken with several senators about possibly introducing a companion bill in the upper chamber, according to his office.

Tea party won’t take down Allen West, but Democrats might

“I think it’s highly unlikely that anyone in South Florida is going to challenge Allen West,” said Apryl Marie Fogel, a conservative Florida activist and the former state director of Americans for Prosperity. “Even given his support of the Boehner plan, he has working in his favor something some of the other freshmen don’t: He has been loud in challenging leadership to a point that’s almost uncomfortable ever since they won.”

2012 PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Florida shows strong support for Bachmann

BY MARC CAPUTO

Monday, 06.27.11

“None of the guys are really exciting. I’m excited now,” said Apryl Marie Fogel, a tea party organizer from Melbourne and Republican consultant. “She has charm, but she’s also tough,” Fogel said. “And she’s going after the grassroots of the party.”

*Note that was my thoughts on Bachmann getting into the race. I have not come out in support of any one candidate yet*

Florida pol follows Rubio’s lead

By: David Catanese
April 25, 2011 10:37 PM EDT

Apryl Marie Fogel, the state director for the Florida chapter of Americans for Prosperity, said she’s already spotted Hasner more than a dozen times at her group’s events.

“I see that man everywhere. I like to tease Hasner because he’s everywhere I am,” she said. Most recently, she saw Hasner at a Coral Gables tea party rally that drew about 75 people. “It’s an off year, no one’s paying attention, so I was surprised by that. That’s exactly what Marco did.”

The article goes on to say:

Fogel, who is watching Hasner’s performances on the stump closely, observed that he still has work to do to reach Rubio’s personal and rhetorical appeal.

But she said the fact that Hasner is putting the time in will earn him early goodwill that lends him growth potential.

“He’s doing all the right things. He’s coming across as genuine. I don’t know if his message catches on and resonates. I think he could become Rubio, but it’s so early. What he has been able to get is that David vs. Goliath thing,” she said.

Press Releases/Responses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEFebruary 17, 2011

Florida Lawmakers Encouraging Reckless Spending

Apryl Marie Fogel, Director of Americans for Prosperity Florida, stressed that, “Taxpayers throughout Florida have made clear their opposition to a high speed rail project that would leave taxpayers on the hook for years to come. We applaud Governor Scott for taking a tough stand and turning away federal money. Scott lends a voice of reason to a debate where special and self interest has seem to become the priority over good policy-making. This project would saddle Floridians with a future that includes a looming threat of untold amounts of debt.”

The increasingly-powerful Americans for Prosperity released the following statement regarding Florida lawmakers efforts to go around Gov. Rick Scott to devise a plan to accept federal funding for high speed rail:

Today members of Florida’s Congressional Delegation and the Florida Legislature set forth a plan to circumvent Governor Scott’s decision to reject $2.4 billion in federal funds to build a high speed rail from Orlando to Tampa.

Twenty-six State Senators, including ten democrats led by high speed rail supporter Paula Dockery, sent a letter to Obama’s Transportation Secretary asking him to circumvent Gov. Scott and send the dollars directly to a state commission created in 2009.

Americans for Prosperity – Florida quickly replied with an action alert to it’s 83,000 members encouraging to them to write their state and federal officials asking them to hold the line.

The alert noted, “Governor Scott’s decision to reject the federal stimulus dollars is backed by sound economic policy and represents the voice of fiscal conservatives – he doesn’t think it is in the best interest of the state to commit to a project we can’t afford down the road. The Federal Railroad Administration has proposed a plan for Florida that will cost an estimated $11 billion to build, and it is projected that along with SunRail and Tri-Rail it will cost $100 million per year to operate once completed. With unknown ridership numbers and a budget shortfall of $3.5 billion and growing, the state of Florida simply can’t afford Obama and Dockery’s High Speed Rail plan.”

Apryl Marie Fogel, Director of Americans for Prosperity Florida, stressed that, “Taxpayers throughout Florida have made clear their opposition to a high speed rail project that would leave taxpayers on the hook for years to come. We applaud Governor Scott for taking a tough stand and turning away federal money. Scott lends a voice of reason to a debate where special and self interest has seem to become the priority over good policy-making. This project would saddle Floridians with a future that includes a looming threat of untold amounts of debt.”

Fogel went on to emphasize, “The call for fiscal responsibility and good government has been loud and clear. The Senators who signed this letter need to take a step back and realize that they are held to the same standards as those in DC, many of them shook their fist at the Obama/Pelosi agenda campaigning against the same time of reckless and short sided governing that they are promoting.”

He once backed high-speed rail in Florida, but Senate President Mike Haridopolos, with an eye on the U.S. Senate in 2012, is changing his political tune and now thinks it’s right to reject $2.4 billion in federal funding.

“Haridopolos penned his letter hours after Americans for Prosperity Florida, a tea-party group, demanded Republicans back Scott, who said Wednesday that Florida should reject the federal money. Scott and tea party groups praised Haridopolos on Friday, but his new stance could complicate his relations with fellow lawmakers in the state Capitol.”

Legislative leaders take different tracks on rail
“Taxpayers throughout Florida have made clear their opposition to a high speed rail project that would leave taxpayers on the hook for years to come,” AFP Florida state director Apryl Marie Fogel said. “We applaud Gov. Scott for taking a tough stand and turning away federal money. Scott lends a voice of reason to a debate where special and self interest has seemed to become the priority over good policy-making. This project would saddle Floridians with a future that includes a looming threat of untold amounts of debt.”

Gov. Rick Scott unveils budget of deep cuts to spending, taxes

Before the public event, Scott hosted a private lunch for tea party activists at a nearby civic center. Activists said they would push for Scott’s budget in the same way they fought health care reform.

“This budget will reshape the state, and we want all of our legislators to know we’re behind this,” said Apryl Marie Fogel, state director of Americans for Prosperity Florida.

Endorsement

Our position: The Republican and Democrat are the strongest candidates in special election

January 18, 2008

In a crowded field of candidates vying to replace former state Rep. Bob Allen in District 32, two rise to the top in the Jan. 29 primary.

The best Republican running is Apryl Marie Fogel, an advocate for Florida Council for Community Mental Health. Cocoa Beach City Council member Tony Sasso is the best choice for Democrats.

District 32 is mostly in Brevard County, but covers parts of east Orange including Orlando International Airport and the communities of Vista Lakes, Lake Nona and Wedgefield.

On the Republican side, Ms. Fogel edges out Lance Armstrong of Cocoa Beach.

Ms. Fogel, of Titusville, is a strong fiscal conservative who supports tough accountability standards in schools. As an expert on health issues, she would bring a refreshing perspective to the Republican House majority by supporting mental-health and drug-treatment programs. Prevention programs can save taxpayers money by treating people before they become expensive burdens in hospitals or state prisons.

Other Republicans are Sean Campbell and Dawn Hooley, both of Merritt Island. Mr. Campbell has been in this race almost a year, and should know far more about tax reform, education and other issues by now. He would need to do his homework to be effective.

Mr. Sasso, who has championed managed growth and environmental issues on the Cocoa Beach City Council, is the best choice for Democrats. His opponent, Anthony LaCourt of Merritt Island, shows almost no knowledge of state issues.